The name Phoebe originates in Greece, with the meaning “radiant, shining one.” According to Greek Mythology, Phoebe (Phoibe), was the goddess of prophecy and radiance. She is often confused with her granddaughter, Artemis, goddess of the moon. The name Phoebe also makes an appearance in the bible. Phoebe is a very trustworthy woman belonging to the church of Cenchreae. The direct biblical meaning of Phoebe is “shining, pure.” Aside from Greek Mythology the name Phoebe is displayed in several literature instances. Phoebe is the shepherdess from Shakespeare's As You Like It. In this play, Phoebe gives an important monologue. Phoebe is also a character in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The House of Seven Gables. In this book Phoebe Pyncheon is raised …show more content…
Phoebe Caulfield, Holden’s younger sister, is a very bright and unique girl. Holden loves Phoebe dearly, and notices her intelligence as well as youthful attitude. My dad admired the author of Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger. He was drawn not only to the character, but the name Phoebe. Once the name Phoebe was suggested, it was certain that would be my name.
My sister was named in a very similar way that I was. My dad named her after the character Zooey in the book Franny and Zooey. This was another JD Salinger book, which makes the definite decision of Zoey’s name obvious. Franny actually became the name of our first family dog as well. However, my brother was not named after a JD Salinger character, most likely because he was named by my mom. Aiden was changed from Jack months after he was born.
For a long time, Phoebe was a pretty unusual name. It began to gain popularity after the hit tv show “Friends” aired. Many people adored the hilarious Phoebe Buffay, played by Lisa Kudrow, along with the unique name. “Charmed,” the show about three witches, also portrayed Phoebe as a graceful and fun name. Since then, the name continues to become more common. Many celebrities such as Phoebe Tonkin, Phoebe Ryan, and Phoebe Cates add to this rising
Salinger went through many of the experiences Holden went though. Salinger much like Holden had a sister that he loved very much, in the novel Phoebe is the only person that Holden speaks highly of; both men also spent time in a mental institution; Holden is telling the story from inside a institution; they were both kicked out of prep school and most importantly they were both a recluse from society. This is why Salinger uses Holden as his persona all though out the book. The ‘catcher in they Rye’ is almost like an autobiography for Salinger. He is using Holden as his persona to let us, the reader, dive into his thought pattern and find out some of the thoughts that he kept locked up in there.
Atsma, Aaron J. "PHOEBE : Greek Titan Goddess of the Oracle of Delphi ; Mythology : PHOIBE." THEOI GREEK MYTHOLOGY, Exploring Mythology & the Greek Gods in Classical Literature & Art. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. .
Phoebe tries to help Holden by asking him to name one thing he likes. However, when Holden mentions Allie, Phoebe tries to be his wake up call and remind him that Allie is dead (Salinger 171). This part in the novel shows how Holden is still attached to Allie, and will not forget about him. However, Phoebe tries to remind Holden that Allie is dead, attempting to make Holden let go of what happened in the past. Phoebe attempts to get Holden’s mind off of his removal from his school by asking him what he wants to become in the future (Salinger 172). This is when Phoebe’s words of advice and support start effecting Holden. Holden begins to think about his options, and what he truly wants to do in the future. “Why can’t I? Please, Holden! I won’t do anything-I’ll just go with you, that’s all! I won’t even take my clothes with me if you don’t want me to-I’ll just take my-” (Salinger 206). This quotation shows how supportive and encouraging Phoebe is towards Holden. When Holden tells Phoebe that he is leaving, Phoebe’s reaction is very affectionate. Phoebe brings a suitcase filled with her clothes, and begins to beg Holden to let her follow him. Phoebe’s encouraging words of advice, is another source of familial love for Holden to move on, and look forward towards his
Holden Caulfield is the narrator of the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. At first introduction, Holden is very judgemental about different characters and seems annoyed about his life. At times, the narrator is rude and has a sarcastic tone towards others when speaking. Holden would be a friend of mine because I enjoy the company of a friend who makes corny jokes.
But then again, maybe the names have nothing at all to do with the story. Perhaps, O'Connor simply picked the names randomly out of a hat. It's not an impossible idea. But the chance of the names fitting so superbly to each character of the story, just by happenstance, is one in a million. In conclusion, readers should start to focus more on the names of the characters, because the names might give more insight that what is seen on the surface. Besides, Hulga Hopewell doesn't sound like that bad of a name.
Holden’s family is obviously very important to him. The novel opens with talking about his parents and his brother. Holden negatively criticizes them to hide the fact that he truly loves them. But, one would ask, how can you love those you never see? Holden is constantly being shipped from one boarding school to another. This absence between him and his parents intensifies his general alienation from everyone. Holden’s only real love in the family is for his sister Phoebe. The bond and respect between brother and sister can not be broken no matter how far the distance between them. When Holden arrives back in New York, he immediately wanted to call someone; his sister Phoebe. "She wouldn’t’ve cared if I’d woke her up…" (Salinger 59) Many people her age would not appreciate being woken up that late at night, especially by their brother, but there is a mutual respect between Phoebe and Holden that would allow for this event to occur. Through out the whole novel, this relationship continues because she is his little sister and he would never hurt her. In today’s world, this type of relationship is next to impossible.
Although Phoebe Caulfield may be Holden's younger sister, she is someone whom Holden looks up to for support and advice. She is one of the few people he feels great affection for and he talks about her with obvious happiness. Everything that he says of Phoebe is something that brings contentment to him and he becomes gentle and avoids the jokes that usually fill his sentences. Everything he says sounds touching. It is obvious that being with children such as Phoebe makes Holden very happy.
Caulfield does not like adults. This is very apparent throughout the whole book, as seemingly every page refers to adults or some action of theirs being considered “phony”. He does not understand the mechanisms of being an adult, such as complex relationships and jobs. When people do not understand a matter, they do not like it, and this is one reason Caulfield does not like adults. However, he has a much greater respect towards children and speaks in a much kinder tone of them, instead of his usual curse-laden dialogue. This could be because Holden has been a child, so he understands them. Caulfield is especially affectionate towards his little sister, Phoebe. He makes loving and positive comments towards her, such as “I mean Phoebe always has some dress on that can kill you. You take most little kids, even if their parents are wealthy and all, they usually have some terrible dress on. I wish you could see old Phoebe in that suit my mother bought her in Canada. I’m not kidding” and he always makes the remark that...
Which is the kind of world he wants to live in. Holden expresses his desire to preserve the innocence of others when his sister Phoebe tells Holden that he doesn't like anything, and that he has no ambitions of what he wants to be when he is older. Holden then explains that he wants to be the catcher in the rye. He says that he imagines little children playing on top of a hill and that his job is to protect children from falling of the hill. This symbolizes catching children from losing their innocence and falling into the adult world. Holden tells Phoebe, “I know it crazy, but that is the only thing I’d like to be” (172). This unrealistic desire is contributes to why Holden is struggling to transition from adolescence to adulthood. Critics of the novel have said Holden would like to suspend time stating, “Holden's desire to protect children shows his desire for suspending time, for inhabiting a space of young people conserved endlessly” (Yahya 3). Not letting go of childhood memories or accepting the harsh realities of adulthood are damaging when transitioning from
...causes problems with all of the "pure" women that he has ever known, whether it is his mother or Jane, and he knows that he can fix all of that with Phoebe. She is the only girl that he is able to fully attach himself to without having to deal with romance. Holden can love Phoebe, and Phoebe can love Holden, but it can still be entirely innocent love.
Holden is a teenage character who has suffered a lot in his life. He has suffered a lot. He doesn?t care about anybody other than his sister, Phoebe. He did not like the adulthood because he thought that every adult was a phony. Holden thinks that when people lie, they are being phony.
Holden Caulfield a 17 year old teenager is the narrator of the book “The Catcher in the Rye” J.D Salinger illustrates in his book “The Catcher in the Rye” of a teenager's dramatic struggle against death and growing up. Holden Caulfield’s sister Phoebe is 9 years old; he has big respect for his younger siblings. Allie who is Holden’s younger brother died of leukaemia.
The Catcher in the Rye is a very short coming of age story and the main character Holden Caulfield is trying to discover his identity while still emerging into adulthood. Holden describes himself as “the catcher in the rye” to catch the children falling off a cliff. The cliff represents adulthood and Holden wants the kids to keep their innocence. I believe this shows in Holden’s love for his little sister, Phoebe. His brother, who passed away from leukemia, never got the chance to grow up. I don’t think Holden is necessarily happy with the death of his brother, but perhaps happy he didn’t have to see the troubles of adulthood and adolescence. Throughout the novel, Holden comes off as a bit of a pessimist who needs to grow up. He comes off as not as kind as he actually is. In the small things he does, he shows how kind and humane he really is.
Holden Caulfield. 16 year old male. He is currently going through a stage of depression. Comes from a wealthy family. Father works as a large corporation lawyer. Has three siblings, one deceased. Holden has an older brother named D.B he’s currently in Hollywood working on his writing. Holden also has a younger sister Phoebe that is 10 years old that will listen to Holden’s conversations. Holden admits to have used alcohol and cigarettes. Has gone to many private prep schools and has failed out of each one.
Holden explains to his sister, Phoebe, that all he ever want to do in life is be this “Catcher in the Rye” figure. "'Anyway, I keep picturing